22 November 2009

When I was in Grade 6, my mom showed me two pictures — one, the lung of a smoker and the other the lung of a non-smoker. She also added that one of our family friends was a chain smoker. And, because of the father’s smoking, the son was diagnosed with cancer at a very young age. I immediately asked my mother how the son could get cancer since he did not smoke.

Her reply was, ‘it does not matter whether you consume tobacco or not. Even though we do not smoke, we are affected by the people who smoke around us. This is passive smoking. Hence, we should take responsibility to propagate total eradication of smoking.’ When I heard this, I tried to convince my uncle who smokes, to quit smoking.

The photograph of a man who was on his death bed at the age of 33 leaving his family crying had a great impact on me. He had taken to smoking when he was just 13 years old.

As a teenaged boy, I realised the harmful effects of tobacco and I shared the knowledge with my friends. I used to tell them about the harmful chemicals in cigarettes and its smoke.

Did you know that cigarette smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals, many of which are poisonous? And when you smoke, some of these substances enter the body.

Tar is a sticky brown substance that contains many toxic chemicals. This is what stains a smoker’s teeth. If the tar from cigarette smoke can stain your teeth, imagine what it can do to your lungs! In fact, tar is the main ingredient that causes throat cancer in smokers.

Well, let me mention a few more harmful products in cigarettes. Cynide is used to make rat poison. Formaldehyde is used to preserve dead bodies. Yuck! Benzene is found in gasoline. Acetone is the main ingredient in nail polish remover. Ammonia is found in several disinfectants used to clean the house.

Ammonia is also an ingredient in fertilisers. Nicotine is the drug in cigarette smoke that makes it hard to quit smoking. Nicotine is at least as addictive as heroin. It is also a deadly poison that was once used as an insecticide.

I participated in the No Tobacco campaign for three years, and I have learnt to say NO to tobacco

22 November 2009

Apropos the article, ‘Obama’s Bow Sparks Criticism from Right’ (KT, November 18), the criticism of President Obama is totally unwarranted. He was neither genuflecting nor paying obeisance to the Emperor of Japan as interpreted by some of his countrymen.

As an honoured state guest, he was simply adhering to the long established Japanese custom of bowing as a formal way of greeting.

By greeting the Monarch, President Obama did not compromise the stature or prestige of the US,but rather enhanced his and his country’s image as a nation which respects the customs and traditions of other nations.

To bow is not to kowtow and even the US President is expected to follow established protocol. Although judging by the reactions, some of his countrymen would have preferred President Obama to simply high five the Emperor!

That he bowed too deep or too long to the Japanese Emperor and the Saudi King while barely bowing to Queen Elizabeth of England is simply immaterial.

22 November 2009

As you have rightly mentioned in the Editorial (Israel’s Continuing Defiance, KT, November 19), Israel has grown from illegally annexing Palestinian land to illegally extending construction in the occupied land.

In this context, it will be worth noting that had the US not extended ‘unrestrained’ support from the very beginning to their ally, the construction which the world witnesses today would not have happened.

After supporting Israel for long, the US should share the blame for Israel’s actions. And if the US is sincerely trying to solve the position, it should honestly declare that it will not be a player anymore in the Palestinian issue.

22 November 2009

The cultural evening celebrated in the Sharjah University City Hall was, indeed, a treat to the mind and the heart. It was an excellent effort by the organisers and helped bring together people of diverse cultures.

The highlight of the evening was, of course, the dance recital by Mallika Sarabhai and her troupe tracing the evolution of different dance forms. The performance depicted how fine arts can bring people together.

The entertaining performances by the students of the Sharjah Indian school are worth mentioning. When the world is finding its way to peace, evenings such as these can definitely help bring people together.

22 November 2009

This refers to the news item, ‘Dangerous Move, says the US’ (KT, November 19). Israel’s defiance of international calls to stop settlement clearly demonstrates their intention that they are not interested in the peace process and do not want a permanent solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Freezing settlements is a pre-condition set by the Palestinian Authority for peace talks with Israel.

The US, apparently, is unable to persuade the Israeli government to heed to the international call. The US government knows very well that if Israel continues with settlement, then there is no hope for peace and all their efforts in that direction will be doomed.

The US has imposed multiple sanctions on Iran for continuing with their nuclear programme which Iran maintains mainly for peaceful, civilian purpose. Will the Obama administration dare to take such a measure against Israel for its rejection of the settlement issue?

Maybe it is wishful thinking! But the world knows that no matter how much the US pretends to be an honest peace broker, in reality it is playing double standard when it comes to dealing firmly with Israel.